Federal audit faults NY Medicaid claim rate

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Federal auditors say New York should repay $60.8 million in Medicaid reimbursement for unallowable costs for room and board for taking care of developmentally disabled people.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services inspector general says repairs, maintenance, utilities, and property-related costs should have been excluded in calculating Medicaid payment rates at state-operated residences.

The audit recommends the state Health Department refund the $60.8 million federal share of those costs.

Auditors say the department should ensure that the state’s Office for People With Developmental Disabilities excludes all those unallowable room-and-board costs from its rates.